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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > I got a bum harp...
I got a bum harp...
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nacoran
7659 posts
Mar 27, 2014
1:50 PM
I'd heard there were quality control issues on Hohner 365's, and I knew older new stock so I was risking getting something from the off years, but I've always wanted to try one, but man, a reed that isn't just gapped a little off, it's bent enough so it has a crease, OTB.

The store called back, but they don't have any more in stock, so they've forwarded me directly to Hohner, but I missed their office hours today by 15 minutes.

I don't remember who told me the story, but I remember someone shared about a store that dealt with the hygiene issues by stomping on any harps that are returned to make sure they don't get resold. I shared the story with the guy at the store.



Still, I own probably 20-30 Hohners, including some used ones I've gotten off eBay or at garage sales, and this is the first one with an OTB problem beyond basic gapping.

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HawkeyeKane
2435 posts
Mar 27, 2014
2:15 PM
I've gotten a few SP20's OOTB with reeds out of tune. MS reedplates too.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
Slimharp
270 posts
Mar 27, 2014
3:28 PM

Last Edited by Slimharp on Mar 27, 2014 3:48 PM
JustFuya
26 posts
Mar 27, 2014
6:19 PM
Remember the bellows when you bought Hohners over the counter?

I'm pissed at Hohner for not stating "This product will likely require disassembly". I did however learn to play "Twinkle, Twinkle" or whatever that stupid nursery tune was.

Thanks Hohner. Took me 50 years to catch on but now I know. And now I feel like the idiot. I'll take idiot over asshole anytime.

Edit: Changed baffle for bellows, proving I am still an idiot. Nonetheless, I'm not an asshole. At least not in my mind.

Last Edited by JustFuya on Mar 27, 2014 6:27 PM
sonny3
148 posts
Mar 27, 2014
9:36 PM
Yeah, I got a bad harp in the early 90s. A marine band that was unplayable and so bad that I quit playing for 15 years.Those bellows at the store made it seem ok.I've had great luck with the new marine bands though, all play at least good ootb.It didn't come to me instantly, like David Harp said it would.
SuperBee
1831 posts
Mar 28, 2014
4:31 AM
I got one of those too, still working on the embouchure. I can just get kind of farty tones. And the overblows stink...
Slimharp
276 posts
Mar 28, 2014
7:47 AM
Sorry you got a bad reed. Im sure Hohner will replace the harp. From my experience todays 365 is a whole different animal. A student of mine has his grandpa's ( I would say it was at least 30 or 40 years old )and I played it. It was just as responsive as a MB or 20 - say like the same responsiveness as a G or A. It was pretty darn tight for a big harp nailed together. I bought one two years ago and it was breathy as a screen door in a wind storm. I took it apart, sealed the comb, added screws where the nails were, and bingo - it was just as breathy and leaky. Took it apart and looked at the reed plates through a bright light.The reed slots were HUGE. You could throw a cat between the reed and the slot.These are not the same harps as before. You could emboss till the cows came home and it wouldnt make much difference. They are also prone to reed rattle on Draw 1 & 2. Too bad - they were cool harps. The one my student has was almost as responsive as a Thunderbird. Maybe I got a bad one. I dont see how the stamp that punches out the plates could vary that much. Look for an old one.


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